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Protein Design Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Meat Scientist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Design and optimize new meat protein formulations while improving existing products to meet sensory, nutritional, operational, and financial objectives. * Ensure formulations successfully transition ...

Senior Scientist

North Chicago, IL · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Independently design and execute studies evaluating the stability (chemical & physical) of the ... An understanding of scientific approach to develop biologic protein formulations * Strong lab ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Lake Forest, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Skokie, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Schaumburg, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Des Plaines, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Chicago, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Naperville, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Evanston, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Wheaton, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Biochemistry Tutor

Oak Lawn, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... protein purification strategies, and interpreting gel electrophoresis results. Emphasizes molecular-level reasoning and connects biochemistry to drug design, clinical diagnostics, and genetic disease ...

Showing results 21-40

Protein Design information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$43.3K

$117.9K

$207.6K

How much do protein design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for protein design in Chicago, IL is $117,942.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,000.00 and $148,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is protein design?

Protein design is the process of creating new proteins or modifying existing ones to have specific functions or properties. This can involve using computational tools, laboratory techniques, or a combination of both to predict and engineer amino acid sequences that will fold into desired three-dimensional structures. Protein design is used in various fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and research, to develop novel enzymes, therapeutics, or materials. The field requires a strong understanding of biology, chemistry, and computer science to achieve successful outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a protein design scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Protein Design Scientist, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and computational modeling, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Proficiency with tools such as Rosetta, PyMOL, and molecular dynamics simulation software, as well as experience with protein expression and purification techniques, is essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are important soft skills to drive innovation and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for designing functional proteins, troubleshooting experiments, and advancing research goals in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in protein design, and how are they addressed within a team setting?

Professionals in protein design often encounter challenges such as predicting accurate protein folding, ensuring stability, and achieving desired biological activity. These complexities are typically addressed through close collaboration with computational biologists, structural biologists, and experimental scientists. Teams frequently hold cross-functional meetings to troubleshoot issues, share findings, and iterate on design strategies based on laboratory results. This collaborative environment helps leverage diverse expertise and accelerates the development of novel proteins with desired functions.

What is the difference between Protein Design vs Protein Engineering?

AspectProtein DesignProtein Engineering
Required CredentialsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology, BioinformaticsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, biotech companies, academiaResearch labs, biotech companies, academia
Industry UsageDesigning novel proteins, drug development, synthetic biologyModifying existing proteins for improved function or stability

Protein Design focuses on creating new proteins with specific functions, often using computational methods. Protein Engineering involves modifying existing proteins to enhance or alter their properties. Both roles require similar skills and are used in research, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries, but their goals differ: one designs from scratch, the other optimizes existing proteins.

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Protein Design jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Protein Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Protein Design job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,942 per year, or $56.7 per hour.

Talent Community | Data Scientist

EVOZYNE INC

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Evozyne designs and builds engineered protein therapeutics using our AI-native platform, transforming what’s possible in immune-mediated disease treatment. Our Data Scientists partner closely with our research teams to transform complex experimental data into insights that guide molecule design and program strategy, turning bold ideas into therapies that can meaningfully improve patients’ lives. This posting helps us connect with candidates for future opportunities. While this listing is not tied to a current opening, we encourage you to join our talent community so we can connect with you when new roles emerge!

Key Responsibilities

  • Analyze and integrate diverse experimental datasets (e.g., sequencing, biophysical, cell-based, and functional assays) to inform therapeutic design decisions
  • Develop computational and statistical models to support protein engineering, optimization, and candidate selection
  • Design and implement workflows for data processing, visualization, and interpretation that enable rapid, high-quality decision-making
  • Partner with discovery scientists to translate biological questions into quantitative analyses and predictive approaches
  • Apply machine learning and modeling methods to improve design strategies
  • Build scalable tools and pipelines that enhance reproducibility and accessibility of experimental insights
  • Communicate findings clearly to cross-functional teams and contribute to project strategy and prioritization

Who You Are

You thrive in an early-stage start-up environment and are motivated by the opportunity to build new therapies that can transform patients’ lives. You combine agility with scientific rigor to deliver high-quality results, and you bring natural curiosity and a collaborative mindset to solving complex challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Undergraduate and/or graduate level education focused on data science, computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, machine learning, AI, or a similar field
  • Hands on experience analyzing experimental, biological, chemistry, or physics datasets (industry, startup, or academic lab)
  • Ability to understand experimental context (read protocols, interpret assay outputs) and partner effectively with experimentalists
  • Solid grasp of EDA and basic statistics (distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing)